Like most people that have discovered Critz Farms, my first trip was a family trip on an autumn Sunday. Their weekly Fall Festival series has become an annual tradition for us, particularly my daughter, who splits her time evenly between playing with the others kids at the large playscapes and feeding the animals.

Brewing was the natural next step and the first beers went online in Spring 2016. Along the way, Harvest Moon was retired and all of the alcoholic beverages are now sold under the Critz Farms Brewing and Cider Co. name.

The moderately-sized tasting room, which also serves wines from nearby Owera Vineyards, overlooking the farm was always an attraction for parents seeking respite from pumpkin picking and visits with the animals. The addition of beer has boosted an already robust business and packed the bar area on weekends.

Look: Golden with a thin head that evolves into a light lacing.Aroma: Very reminiscent of a Czech pilsner, with a malty sweetness reminiscent of Pilsner Urquell.Taste: It opens very watery before developing a semisweet bridge to a malty pilsner flavor at the end.Feel (mouthfeel, body): Watery and a medium body.Overall: It tasted like a pilsner but without the hoppy spice or fragrance. The brewers employ honey malts, which account for the sweetness, but there was zero hop presence in the flavor profile.

Look: Brassy and translucent with a light foam that dissipates into a thin lacing.Aroma: Aggressive spices and bitter citrus.Taste: A good balance of bready malt and hop spice on the open. Flavors of grapefruit and bitter orange are noted. It finishes crisp and clean.Feel (mouthfeel, body): Not really watery or creamy. Medium body and weight with a good stream of carbonation.Overall: The brewers use two varieties of hops and four types of malts in the brewing process. This interpretation of the British IPA has a strong malt backbone. It's a very complex beer and a good one to boot.

Beer: Pig City PorterStyle: Robust porterAlcohol content: 5.6 percentPrice: $5.50 per 32 oz. growler fill or $10.99 per four-pack of 16 oz. cans.Find it: In cans and on tap at the brewery. The limited run of cans can be found at the farm and at select bottle shops in Upstate New York.

Look: Root beer brown to black with a thick khaki head. A nice lacing formed as the pint progressed.Aroma: Roasted malt with hints of chocolate and coffee.Taste: Things start off very chocolately with flavors of coffee and nut in the background. It bitters in the middle and finishes clean with flavors of caramel and nut.Feel (mouthfeel, body): Smooth but not heavy. Medium body and somewhat creamy.Overall: This is my kind of porter. A good alcohol content, complex flavors and a clean finish. It's an easy drinking beer for fall or winter in Upstate New York.

Beer Notes:

Tickets are on sale for the 4th annual New York Craft Brewers Festival at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre on Nov. 4. More than 50 brewers are expected, including Critz Farms.

Central New York's biggest name in beer, Empire Brewing Co., has paired with Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards on Apple Harvest Ale, a malty ale with a tart apple flavor from both Empire and Honeycrisp apple juice. The apples make up about one-third of the beer's brewing volume.

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Some people find tourist attractions or historical spots when they visit a new place. Jared Paventi spends his time looking for the local bottle shop or brewery. He also reviews restaurants for Syracuse.com and writes about beer and food at his website, Al Dente.